Yondarius Johnson had 13 points for Southern (11-10, 7-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) and the Jaguars now stand alone in first place in the conference.

Southern, which led throughout, had a 33-24 halftime lead. Alabama State (11-7, 5-2) closed to 37-30 early in the second period, but Southern went on a 12-2 run to lead 49-32 with 11:48 remaining.

Southern made 14 of 25 field goal attempts in the second half while limiting the Hornets to 27.8 percent shooting from the field in the same period. Southern also won the rebounding battle, pulling down 45 to 34 for the Hornets